I apologize in advance if there is a Coachmen owner's forum here - I looked and couldn't find one, but I'm not the most savvy user on IRV2.

I'm looking at a 2004 Sportscoach Elite 403TS. This was pre-Forest River. I'm trying to find guidance about the grade of this coach. Can I expect the materials and workmanship to be in the Newmar or Monaco caliber? Was this unit considered an entry-level unit?

It has a 330 Cat in it, which seems a little lower-power than most of the MHs we've looked at. Am I likely to wish I had a 350, 370 or 400? I have no plan to visit the Rockies, but will probably be in the Appalachians occasionally.

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I owned a 2005 Sportcoach Elite with a Cat 330. Never had much problem with the unit being under powered. At the time, we were living in the northeast and drove it through Massachusetts and upstate NY a few times. I got rid of it in 2009 because the black paint was spidering all over the coach. Coachman would not help with any painting costs as it was out of warranty. The engine and/or vacuum pump was loud compared to our Cummins engine. We had a triple slide model, and averaged about 6.5 mpg towing a 4000 pound toad. When I sold it, I had about 20,000 miles on it and it was definitely my wife's favorite motorhome. I had good service out of the unit. Happy Camping!

I have a 2007 Sportscoach Pathfinder 377DS. I have the 300 Cummins. It is not the level of a higher end Newmar or a Monaco, but I think they are nice coaches. Mine is not underpowered at all. I've driven it about 20,000 miles so far, across mountains and deserts...no problems.

If I were to sell mine, I'd look at another. I think they are one of the better values in motorhomes out there, and a notch higher than a Thor in quality from what I've seen.

I met someone today who sounded like he knew a lot more about MHs than I do. I asked him about the Coachmen, and he made a face and said they have wood framing. He said he prefers MHs that are frames with either steel or aluminum. He said that if the frame gets wet it can swell and will cause delamination. Sounds serious!

Does anyone know if they are, in fact, wood framed? If so, do you agree that is susceptible to delamination or other isues?

They are aluminum framed and have steel framed basements. Maybe 20 years ago they were wood framed but no longer. They are built the same way 99% of the motorhomes on the market are built today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProjectPro

I met someone today who sounded like he knew a lot more about MHs than I do. I asked him about the Coachmen, and he made a face and said they have wood framing. He said he prefers MHs that are frames with either steel or aluminum. He said that if the frame gets wet it can swell and will cause delamination. Sounds serious!

Does anyone know if they are, in fact, wood framed? If so, do you agree that is susceptible to delamination or other isues?